One of the largest mangrove ecosystems in India, located between the prominent estuaries of the Vellar and Coleroon Rivers, the Site features littoral and swamp forest habitats. It not only offers waterscape and backwater cruises but also another rare sight – the mangrove trees are permanently rooted in a few feet of water. The Site hosts a natural hybrid species, Rhizophora annamalayana, which is derived from two species of Rhizophora: R.apiculata and another natural hybrid R.mucronata. Like other mangrove wetlands in India, Pichavaram Mangrove supports several threatened species such as the critically endangered great white-bellied heron (Ardea insignis) and spoon-billed sandpiper (Eurynorhynchus pygmeus), the endangered spotted greenshank (Tringa guttifer) and the vulnerable olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). The Site also provides spawning and nursing ground for commercially important prawns, mainly white prawn (Penaeus indicus) and tiger prawn (P. monodon), crabs and fish. In addition to this exceptional biodiversity, the Site supports the livelihoods of over 1,000 families through artisanal fishing, firewood collection, non-timber forest product harvesting, and grazing lands for livestock. The mangroves are revered by the local communities due to the significant spiritual value associated with Excoecaria agallocha, a mangrove with toxic properties commonly known as “Tillai”. Despite being declared a Reserve Forest since 1893, the Site has no management plan.